The money poured on and Miss Daisy delivered! Hollywoodbets-sponsored Turffontein trainer Billy Ruiters celebrated his first feature success when the speedy daughter of Crusade went all the way under a handy galloping weight to win the R150 000 non black-type Lady’s Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
A man who has been in the game for nearly 50 years, Billy ‘The Kid’ Ruiters originally dreamt of being a jockey, but was denied due to limited opportunity in the early years. He took out his licence in early 2021 after Chris Erasmus moved to KZN, and is clearly growing in stature.
Drama at the start saw the withdrawal of the reluctant Midnight Gem, while Paul Peter’s new charge Maryah failed to jump once the gates were sprung.
Ryan Munger is a passenger as Miss Daisy charges home (Pic – JC Photos)
Jockey Ryan Munger, riding with confidence after his Fairview Friday double, did pace work as he took full advantage of the 3yo’s 9kg pull at the weights to win well in a time of 70,99 secs.
Miss Daisy (8’s to 5-2) kept on powerfully to beat former Cape-based stakes performer Mercury Rising (28-10) by 2,20 lengths, with Bon Vivant (4-1) looking dangerous late and a further quarter length back in third.
A thrilled owner Stincky Pooe was on course and said he’d like to ‘keep Munger in the family’ as he congratulated the Ruiters’ team.
Miss Daisy is led in by the happy team! (Pic – JC Photos)
Ruiters, who has just taken delivery of the winner’s full brother from Bush Hill Stud, said that he hoped that the win would ‘open doors’ for his yard.
A R40 000 National 2yo Sale graduate, Miss Daisy was bred by Bush Hill Stud from Mr Greeley stallion Crusade out of the Count Dubois mare, Heliantha.
Now a winner of 3 races with 4 places from 9 starts for stakes of R273 750, Miss Daisy looks set to go on to better things.
